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Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
An update of anti-viral treatment of COVID-19
Serap Şimşek-Yavuz1, Feride Ipek Komsuoğlu Çelikyurt2
1Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
Background/Aim:
Currently there is not an effective antiviral treatment for COVID-19, but a large number of drugs have been evaluated since the beginning of the pandemic, and many of them have been used for the treatment of COVID-19 despite the preliminary or conflicting results of the clinical trials. We aimed to review and summarize all of the current knowledge on the antivirals for COVID-19
Results:
There are 2 main drug groups for SARS-CoV-2: agents that target proteins or RNA of the virus or interfere with proteins or biological processes in the host that support the virus. The main drug groups include inhibitors of viral entry into the human cell (convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies, mini proteins, human soluble ACE-2, camostat, dutasteride, proxalutamide, bromhexin, hydroxychloroquine, umifenovir nitazoxanid, niclosamide, lactoferrin), inhibitors of viral proteases (lopinavir/ritonavir, PF-07321332, PF-07304814, GC376), inhibitors of viral RNA (remdesivir, favipiravir, molnupiravir, AT-527, merimepodib, PTC299), inhibitors of host proteins supporting virus (plitidepsin, fluvoxamine, ivermectin), and agents supporting host natural immunity (Interferons).
Conclusion:
When taking into account the results of all the available laboratory and clinical trials on the subject, monoclonal antibodies seem to be the most effective treatment for COVID-19 at the moment, and high-titer convalescent plasma also could be effective when administered during the early phase of the disease. As lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, merimepodib, and umifenovir were found to be ineffective in RCTs, they should not be used. Additional studies are needed to define the role of remdesivir, favipiravir, interferons, ivermectin, dutasteride, proxulutamide, fluvoxamine, bromhexine, nitazoxanide, and niclosamid in the treatment of COVID-19. Finally, the results of phase trials are waited to learn whether or not the newer agents such as molnupiravir, PF-07321332, PF-07304814, plitidepsin and AT-527 are effective in the treatment of COVID-19.
Insights
Monoclonal antibodies are currently the most effective COVID-19 treatment. High-titer convalescent plasma may also be effective early in the disease, while other antivirals require further study.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- No definitive antiviral treatment for COVID-19 exists.
- Numerous drugs have been investigated, some used despite preliminary or conflicting trial results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize current knowledge on antiviral treatments for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of laboratory and clinical trials on COVID-19 antivirals.
- Categorization of drugs based on their mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2 or host factors.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal antibodies show the most promise currently.
- High-titer convalescent plasma may be effective in early stages.
- Certain drugs (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine) have proven ineffective.
Conclusions:
- Monoclonal antibodies and early high-titer convalescent plasma are the most effective treatments identified.
- Several antivirals require further investigation.
- Newer agents are awaiting phase trial results for efficacy determination.
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